REDDITCH MP Rachel Maclean has insisted she trusts the Prime Minister as pressure mounts on Boris Johnson in the wake of the Downing Street lockdown Christmas party allegations.

The MP featured on a fractious episode of the BBC's Question Time last night where she was asked by host Fiona Bruce if she trusts Boris Johnson following this week's events.

He insists no party took place and the rules were followed.

The Redditch MP responded: "I do trust him" amid murmurings from the audience.

She explained: "Look, I am the only person here who can speak on behalf of the government and it is understandable that there is palpable anger in the room and that is how it is going to be and I perfectly accept that.

"This is a difficult time and it has been a bad week, let's be frank about that."

Earlier this week leaked footage emerged of Number 10's press team appearing to jokingly refer to the alleged party, leading to the resignation of the Prime Minster's former press secretary Allegra Stratton.

Rachel Maclean told the panel she was "sickened" by the footage but said the focus should be on the "big picture" of fighting the pandemic.

The MP was praised by fellow panellist Steve Bartlett for appearing on the show to face a grilling following a bad week for the government.

He said: “I want to commend Rachel for doing something that her spineless colleagues wouldn’t do, which is actually come here and answer the question.”

It came after senior Conservatives pulled TV appearances earlier in the week after the leaked footage emerged.